"Q&A: Busy Chris Rock Is Just Itching to Do Dirty Work," by Dave Itzkoff (New York Times): The actor and comedian talks about wanting to get back onstage (for stand-up and Broadway), the new W. Kamau Bell show he's producing, and why only fans should be allowed to criticize.

"Twilight of the Dinosaurs," by Steven Hyden (Grantland): Some thoughts on the continued existence of Black Sabbath (and their classic rock kinsman), who will likely stay with us even beyond their "socks and sandals years."

"Meeting Elvis," by Craig Brown (Salon):In this excerpt from an upcoming book on famous encounters, the King complains to Nixon about the druggies, and the hippies, and the Beatles ... before actually meeting the Beatles, who giggle like giddy schoolgirls around him.